The late morning sun streamed through the windows of Ria's room, casting a warm glow on the chaos within. With college starting in just a week, Ria was in full-blown preparation mode. Her usually tidy room was now a disaster zone, with clothes strewn across the bed, shoes scattered on the floor, and accessories piled up haphazardly on the dresser. At the center of it all was Ria, rummaging through her closet with frantic energy, tossing items over her shoulder as she muttered to herself.
Misha and Anaya stood by the door, watching the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and disbelief. They had known Ria long enough to understand that once she got into this mode, there was no stopping her until she had exhausted every possible option.
"Ria, what exactly are you looking for?" Misha asked, her voice tinged with exasperation as she watched her sister pull out yet another dress and toss it aside without a second glance.
"Everything!" Ria replied dramatically, her head still buried in the closet. "College starts next week, and I have *nothing* to wear! I need to find something perfect for every single day of the first week. You know how important first impressions are, and I can't just wear any old thing!"
Anaya stifled a laugh, finding Ria's over-the-top concern both endearing and slightly absurd. She had spent enough time with Ria to know that her friend's closet was practically bursting with stylish outfits. The idea that she had nothing to wear was, frankly, ridiculous.
As Ria continued to pull out clothes and inspect them with a critical eye, Anaya couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Ria's closet was filled with designer clothes, most of which she had never seen her wear more than twice. The sheer volume of outfits, all in pristine condition, made Anaya feel a bit out of place. Growing up in an orphanage, Anaya had never had such luxuries. She was used to making the most of what she had, wearing the same outfits over and over again until they were well-worn.
"Ria," Anaya began gently, trying to mask her unease with a smile, "you really have a whole clothes brand in here. I've never seen so many clothes in one place before."
Ria turned to Anaya, a grin spreading across her face. "Well, I guess you could say that. But you know how it is—I like to keep my wardrobe fresh. I can't be seen wearing the same thing three times, can I?"
Anaya forced a laugh, though she couldn't help but feel the weight of the difference in their lifestyles. "I guess not."
Misha, sensing Anaya's discomfort, stepped in to lighten the mood. "Anaya's right, Ria. You do have quite the collection. But it's not just about having clothes; it's about having the right clothes. Anaya, you're the wife of Rudra Singhaniya. You deserve a wardrobe that matches your new status."
Ria burst out laughing at Misha's comment, causing Anaya to blush slightly. "Wife of Rudra Singhaniya, huh? That's a good one, sissy! I mean, Anaya, you're practically royalty now!"
Anaya, feeling a bit embarrassed by the attention, tried to brush it off. "It's not about that. I'm just not used to... all this," she said, gesturing to the room full of clothes.
Ria's laughter softened into a warm smile as she put down the dress she was holding. "I get it, Anaya. But you don't need to worry. We're all here to help you find your style, something that makes you feel like you belong in this crazy Singhaniya world."
Anaya managed a small smile, grateful for Ria's understanding but still feeling a bit out of her element. "Thanks, Ria. I appreciate it."
Ria, sensing the slight tension in Anaya's voice, decided to lighten the mood. "But seriously, what are you laughing at, Ria?" she said, playfully mimicking Anaya's earlier tone. "You'll be getting married soon too, and then you'll understand."
Ria gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Me? Married? Oh, please! I'm just a kid, remember?" she said with a mischievous grin. "And besides, if anyone in this room is getting married next, it's definitely Misha, not me."
Misha rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at her sister's antics. "Don't mind her words, Anaya," she said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Ria just likes to tease."
Ria grinned and shrugged. "Hihi, I'm just having fun. But seriously, Anaya, don't let this 'wife of Rudra' thing go to your head. You're part of the family now, and that means you get to enjoy all the perks—including shopping trips with us!"
Before Anaya could respond, the door to Ria's room suddenly swung open, and Rakhi stood in the doorway, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her. The once-organized room now looked as though a cyclone had swept through it, leaving chaos in its wake.
Rakhi's hands flew to her hips as she took in the scene, her voice filled with a mix of shock and disbelief. "Ria! Is this a room or did a cyclone hit here? How could you make such a mess in such a short time? And Anaya, Misha, why are you just standing there letting this happen?"
Misha threw her hands up in defense, trying to suppress a laugh. "I tried to stop her, Mom, but you know how Ria gets when she's on a mission."
Anaya smiled sheepishly, holding up a blouse she had picked up earlier. "We're trying to help, Aunty, but Ria has a very specific vision in mind. We're just here for moral support."
Ria, unfazed by her mother's scolding, turned to face her with a grin. "Mom, it's not a mess! It's... well, it's organized chaos. I'm just trying to find the perfect outfits for college. You know how important first impressions are."
Rakhi's eyes narrowed as she stepped further into the room, carefully navigating around the scattered shoes and clothing. "Organized chaos? Ria, this is a disaster zone! How do you expect to find anything in this mess?"
Ria shrugged, clearly unfazed by her mother's scolding. "It's all part of the process, Mom. Trust me, I know exactly what I'm doing."
Rakhi shook her head, still incredulous as she turned to Anaya and Misha. "And you two are just standing there letting this happen? How on earth did it get this bad?"
Misha held up her hands defensively, trying to suppress a laugh. "I tried to stop her, Mom, but you know how Ria gets when she's on a mission. There's no stopping her."
Anaya smiled sheepishly, holding up the blouse she had picked up earlier. "We're trying to help, Aunty, but Ria has a very specific vision in mind. We're just here for moral support."
Ria, who had resumed her search through the closet, called over her shoulder, "See, Mom? They get it! I just need to find the right combination of outfits, and then I'll clean everything up. I promise!"
Rakhi sighed, exasperated but clearly amused by her daughter's antics. "Honestly, Ria, sometimes I wonder how you're really a Singhaniya. The rest of the house is always so neat and orderly, and then there's... this."
Ria grinned, finally pulling out a skirt that seemed to meet her approval. "Mom, you know I'm just expressing my creativity! Besides, it's only messy because I'm figuring things out. Once I have everything sorted, it'll be perfect."
Anaya and Misha continued to tidy up around Ria, folding clothes and placing them neatly on the bed. The chaos was slowly becoming more manageable, though there was still a long way to go.
Rakhi shook her head again, though there was a fond smile on her face as she watched the girls work together. "Ria, I swear, if your father saw this room, he'd think a cyclone really did hit. And your grandmother would have a heart attack if she walked in here!"
Ria laughed, holding up the skirt she had just found. "Well, lucky for me, neither of them is here right now! Besides, I've got it under control, Mom. Don't worry."
Rakhi rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the affection in her voice. "You're lucky you have such patient sisters to help you. But seriously, Ria, once you've made your selections, I expect this room to be back in order."
"Yes, ma'am!" Ria replied with a mock salute, clearly enjoying the whole situation.
Misha, finally managing to fold the last of the clothes that had been tossed onto the floor, sighed in relief. "There, that's the last of it. Now, Ria, can you please make your final decisions so we can put everything else away?"
Ria looked around at the neatly folded piles of clothes, her eyes scanning the options she had laid out. "Hmm... okay, I think I've narrowed it down to a few outfits. But I still need your opinions!"
Anaya smiled, glad to see that Ria was finally reaching a decision. "We're here to help. Show us what?.
"Hmmm... okay, I think I've narrowed it down to a few outfits. But I still need your opinions!" Ria said, holding up a couple of hangers.
Anaya and Misha exchanged amused looks. This was classic Ria—indecisive yet so confident in her indecision.
Anaya walked over to Ria, picking up a pale blue blouse from the pile. "This one is great, Ria. It's casual but stylish enough for your first day."
Misha nodded in agreement, adding, "And pair it with those white trousers you love. It'll look fresh and sharp, perfect for making a statement without trying too hard."
Ria scrutinized the combination, her lips pursed as she considered it. After a moment, she grinned and said, "You know, I think you're both right. This outfit might just work!"
As she began hanging up the rest of her clothes, Ria's room slowly returned to a semblance of order. The chaos was gradually contained, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Misha and Anaya.
Just as they were finishing up, the door creaked open once more, and Komal stepped into the room, her presence commanding the attention of all three girls. She looked around at the now-tidy room with approval, but her gaze soon landed on Anaya, and there was something in her eyes that spoke of an unspoken matter.
"Ria, Misha," Komal greeted them warmly, then her gaze shifted to Anaya, her tone growing a bit more serious. "Anaya, may I have a word with you?"
Anaya felt a slight pang of anxiety. "Of course, Grandmother," she replied, glancing at Ria and Misha before stepping away from the wardrobe to join Komal.
Komal led Anaya to the corner of the room, where they could speak privately, though Ria and Misha remained close by, clearly curious.
"I've been meaning to discuss this with you for a while, my dear," Komal began, her voice soft but firm. "You've been staying in the guest room since your wedding, and that's understandable. It was a big change for you, and I wanted to give you time to adjust. But it's time to talk about moving into your own room."
Anaya blinked in confusion. "My room?" she repeated, her mind racing as she tried to grasp what Komal was suggesting.
"Yes," Komal confirmed, her tone patient but insistent. "Your room with Rudra. The guest room was a temporary arrangement, but you are Rudra's wife now. It's only proper that you share a room with him."
Anaya's heart began to race. She hadn't even considered moving into Rudra's room. The guest room had been a sanctuary for her, a place where she could retreat and gather her thoughts away from the pressures of her new life. The thought of sharing a room with Rudra, with whom she had barely had a conversation, was daunting.
Sensing Anaya's hesitation, Komal reached out and gently took her hand. "I know this may seem overwhelming, Anaya, but you and Rudra are married now. A shared room is the first step in building your life together. It's important that you both start this journey, even if it's difficult at first."
Anaya swallowed, trying to find the right words. "But, Grandmother... I don't want to impose on Rudra's space. He seems so... I don't know... distant. I don't want to force anything."
Komal gave her a gentle smile. "I understand your concerns, dear. But marriage is about sharing—sharing your lives, your hopes, your dreams, and yes, your space. Rudra may seem distant, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. It's just his way. But I believe that if you take this step, it could be the beginning of something good for both of you."
Anaya's mind swirled with thoughts. Moving into Rudra's room felt like a monumental step, one that she wasn't sure she was ready for. But she also knew that Komal was right. She had to start somewhere, and perhaps this was the place to begin.
She nodded slowly, her voice quiet but resolute. "I'll talk to Rudra about it when he gets home."
Komal squeezed her hand, her expression one of warmth and support. "That's all I ask, Anaya. You're part of this family now, and you have all of us here to support you. Just take it one day at a time."
Anaya nodded again, her heart still fluttering with nerves, but with a growing sense of determination. This was the next step in her journey with Rudra, and though it was daunting, she knew it was something she needed to do.
As they rejoined Ria and Misha, the mood in the room lightened once more. Ria, ever the joker, tried to lift Anaya's spirits. "And just think, Anaya, you can raid Rudra bhai's wardrobe anytime you want! Though I'm not sure how much you'll find in there besides suits and ties."
Anaya managed a small laugh, grateful for Ria's attempts to ease her anxiety. "Thanks, Ria. I'll keep that in mind."
Misha gave Anaya a supportive pat on the back. "Don't worry, Anaya. We're all here for you. And if you ever need to escape from Rudra's serious face, you know where to find us."
Komal, pleased with how the conversation had gone, added one final thought. "Remember, Anaya, this is your home now. You have every right to make it your own. And I believe that as you and Rudra grow closer, you'll find that sharing a room isn't as daunting as it seems."
Anaya smiled at Komal, her heart warming at the older woman's kindness. "Thank you, Grandmother. I'll do my best."
Komal nodded approvingly. "That's all anyone can ask. Now, I believe you three were planning to go shopping? Make sure you find some beautiful things, Anaya. You deserve it."
Ria clapped her hands together, her excitement returning in full force. "Yes! Let's get going before all the good stuff is gone!"
Misha laughed, grabbing her purse. "I'm sure there's plenty left, Ria, but I agree—let's go have some fun."
With that, the three of them left Ria's room, the earlier tension replaced by the anticipation of a shopping spree. As they made their way down the grand staircase and out to the waiting car, Anaya felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The day ahead was full of possibilities, and though the prospect of moving into Rudra's room weighed heavily on her mind, she was determined to face it head-on.
**To be continue....**